Apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or sliver-type material

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or of silver-type textile materials. The apparatus comprises a substantially closed housing containing a treatment chamber and a fan chamber, at least two rows of conveying means rotatably disposed in the treatment chamber to provide for the continuous and alternate guiding of the material therethrough, fan means disposed in the fan chamber for circulating the treatment medium, suction duct means disposed between the rows of conveying means at the partition means, said fan means drawing the treatment medium from the treatment chamber between the rows of conveying means through the suction duct and returning it into the treatment chamber above and below said conveying means.

United States Patent Fleissner 1 Aug. 1, 1972 [22] Filed:

[54] APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MATERIAL LENGTHS 0R SLIVER- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 28, 1967 Germany ..P 16 35 356.3

[52] US. Cl ..34/54, 34/159 [51] Int. Cl ..F26b 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..34/54, 158, 159, 161, 203

3,440,736 4/1969 Fleissner et a1. ..34/ I 5 8 3,473,236 10/1969 Fleissner ..34/1 15 3,450,486 6/1969 Fleissner ..34/ 1 15 Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney-Craig & Antonelli ABSTRACT The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for the treatment of material lengthsor of silver-type textile materials. The apparatus comprises a substantially closed housing containing a treatment chamber and a fan chamber, at least two rows of conveying means rotatably disposed in the treatment chamber to provide for the continuous and alternate guiding of the material therethrough, fan means disposed in the fan chamber for circulating the treatment medium, suction duct means disposed between the rows of conveying means at the partition means, said fan means [56] References CM drawing the treatment medium from the treatment .UNITED STATES PATENTS chamber between the rows of conveying means through the suction duct and returning it into the 2,671,279 3/1954 Blanchard ..34/159 m t h be b0 d b l 2,998,175 8/1961 Topping ..226/ll9X il c m r a 3,302,304 2/1967 Goldenberg et a1. ..34/159 3,338,493 8/1967 Schiffer ..226/111 15 ClalmZDrawlng Figures 111 III III/III,

PATENTEDAus 1 I972 Fig. I

Fig. 2

lnvenlar:

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MATERIAL LENGTHS OR SILVER-TYPE MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or of silver-type textile materials. The apparatus comprises a housing containing two rows of conveying elements, preferably rollers, on which the material is guided alternately and continuously through the treatment chamber, said apparatus also including a device for circulating the treatment medium.

Devices are well known in which the material is guided alternately in zig-zag loops over two rows of rollers. During the treatment a gaseous treatment medium, for example air or steam is applied to the material being treated. For circulating the treatment medium axial fans are provided which are disposed above the material and which blow the air through jet boxes against the material being treated. Also devices are well known in which the axial fans are arranged at the sides of the material or above and beneath said material. The control of the flow conditions in these devices is relatively difficult. Thus, considerable temperature variations over the working width are experienced.

The devices thus discussed are used for drying, thermosoling, steaming, and heat-setting as well as for curing textile lengths. To meet the always more exacting requirements an equal temperature distribution over the working width is of utmost importance especially for heat-setting, thermosoling and curing. Also, the flow conditions over the working width should be as uniform as possible.

The essential advantages of the well known devices utilizing the known ways of material guidance are that large material quantities can be accommodated in relatively small housings and thus high operating speeds can be obtained with these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to avoid the prior art disadvantages in the treatment of material lengths or of silver-type material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the treatment of textile materials which maintains substantially constant treatment temperatures and flow conditions over the entire working width of the textile material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or silver-type material which exhibits a substantial economic advantage when compared to the prior art apparatus.

eliminated and a much improved apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or of silver-type material may be obtained by conveying the material through a treatment chamber on at least two rows of conveying elements and drawing the treatment medium, such as for example air, between the two rows of conveying elements and returning it to the treatment chamber above and below the conveying elements.

Tests have shown that extremely uniform flow conditions can be produced if the longitudinal wall which divides the treatment housing into a treatment chamber and a fan chamber is as short as possible, that is if the openings for the passage of the treatment medium from the fan chamber into the treatment chamber are as large as possible. It is therefore suggested, according to the present invention, to make the longitudinal partition means terminate near the two conveying elements and/or to provide that the longitudinal partition means extend only slightly beyond the two rows of rollers, preferably by less than twice the diameter of said rollers. In order to obtain uniform flow conditions, it is furthermore suggested to arrange jet plates at the ends of the longitudinal partition means above and below the rows of rollers. These jet plates should be situated substantially parallel to the conveying elements, that is to the rows of rollers. The jets themselves should be so narrow that a damming effect is obtained in the spaces located above and beneath the jet plates.

In order to render the apparatus of the present invention as versatile as possible, it is desirable if the jet plates are provided with adjustable slits, so that the free cross section of the jets can be adapted to the respective quantity of the recirculated treatment medium. Furthermore, it is suggested to correlate means to the fan drive for the stepwise or infinite variation of the fan speed. In this way, the respective quantity of the recirculated treatment medium can be varied and adapted to the respective treatment process, for example when a minimum quantity of the treatment medium is required to be circulated for the respective process. For drying it is of advantage to circulate a maximum quantity of the treatment medium, whereas for curing, heat-setting and thermosoling, the quantity of the recirculated treatment medium can be substantially reduced. For steaming processes, the quantity of the recirculated treatment medium can generally be reduced even more.

It is also advantageous to combine a-device for adjusting the free cross section of the jets of the jet plate with the control of the fan drive so that together with a variation of the fan speed and the quantity of the recirculated treatment medium, the free cross section of the jets can be varied, thereby producing an optimum damming effect and an optimum distribution of the treatment medium over the entire working width.

To equalize the treatment medium flow, it is furthermore advantageous to arrange heater batteries above and beneath the radial fans. Furthermore, heater batteries can also be arranged in the spaces above and beneath the jet plates, if necessary. In order to ensure that the treatment medium is drawn in uniformly over the entire length of the treatment chamber, it is suggested to provide a suction duct between the treatment chamber and the fan chamber, which intermediate suction duct preferably extends over the entire length of the treatment chamber and/or over the length of one compartment of the treatment chamber. To obtain the proper equalizing effect, this intermediate suction duct may be provided with a perforated partition. However, it is also possible to arrange at this point a partition means with an adjustable free cross section, for example, by correlating two perforated partitions so that one partition can be displaced with respect to the other partition. In this manner, the individual cross sections of the perforations more or less overlap and the free cross section for the treatment medium can be varied accordingly. Also, by using a partition with an adjustable cross section, it is advantageous if the adjusting device for the free cross section is combined with the device for varying the fan speed in order to offer a constant resistance to the treatment medium in accordance with the quantity of the recirculated treatment medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the apparatus of the present invention according to FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a heat-insulated housing 1 which is subdivided by a partition means 2 into a fan chamber 3 and a treatment chamber 4. In the treatment chamber 4, two rows of rollers 5 and jet plates 6 are arranged which separate the treatment chamber 4 from spaces 13. In the fan chamber radial fans 7 are provided with heater batteries 8 being disposed above and beneath said fan means. Between the two rows of rollers and between the treatment chamber 4 and the fan chamber 3, a suction duct 9 is arranged. The suction duct has a perforated partition means 10 which ensures that the treatment medium is drawn in uniformly over the entire length of the treatment chamber.

A drive I l for the radial fans 7 is mounted to housing 1 outside the fan chamber. For varying the fan speed, either a gear 14 may be correlated to the drive motor or a commutator motor 15 with a variable speed can be used. Material lengths 12 are guided in the treatment chamber in a well known manner alternately over a roller 5 of the upper row and over a roller 5 of the lower row. Furthermore, rollers 5 are provided at the inlet and at the discharge end of the apparatus. Generally, one row of rollers is driven by one drive means in a well known way. However, it is also possible to drive either both rowsof rollers with a common and at least one sheet thereof is supported adjustably as seen in the direction of material passage. By displacing this sheet, the free cross section of the jet orifices 17 in the jet plates can be varied in an effective manner. Also, joint control means 18 is provided for jointly controlling the free cross section of the jet orifices and the fan drive so that with a variation of the fan speed, the free cross section of the jets can be varied so that an op timum damming efiect and an optimum distribution of the treatment medium over the working width can be obtained. Joint control means 18 controls the freecross section of the jet orifices through servomotor 19 which is provided with associated transmission means for the relative displacement of the perforated covers with respect to each other. The joint control means provides a similar function with respect to the freecross section of the suction duct.

The apparatus of the present invention is very simple in its design and because the expensive jet boxes are disposed of and due to the use of the radial fan means, it possesses a substantial economic advantage when compared to the prior art devices. Since the free cross section of the jets can be readily changed, optimum flow and temperature conditions 'in the treatment chamber and near the material being treated can be obtained. Using the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a constant temperature of :1 .5 C. overa working width of 2,000 mm and at a temperature of 200 C.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modification as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the follow ing claims.

It is claimed:

1. An apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or silver-type materials which comprises a substantially closed housing, inlet means for introducing the material to be treated to said housing, longitudinal partition means dividing said housing into a treatment chamber and a fan chamber, at least two rows of conveying means rotatably disposed in the treatment chamber to provide for the continuous and alternate guiding of the material therethrough, perforated jet plates provided substantially parallel to the conveying means and secured to the ends of the longitudinal partition means, means provided for adjusting the free-cross section of the perforations in the jet plates so that said cross-section can be adapted to the quantity of the treatment medium which is circulated, radial flow fan means disposed in the fan chamber between the rows of conveying means for circulating the treatment medium, heating means disposed in the housing for heating said treatment medium, suction duct means disposed between the rows of conveying means at the partition means, said fan means drawing the treatment medium from the treatment chamber between the rows of conveying means through the suction duct and returning it into the treatment chamber above and below said conveying means and outlet means for removing the material from the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition means terminate near the two rows of the conveying means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jet plates consist essentially of two superimposed perforated sheets which are displaceable with respect to each other, one of said sheets being provided on the material side with jet orifices, said other sheet on the side away from the material being treated being displaceable in the direction of material passage so that by displacing said other sheet, the free cross section of the jet orifices is varied.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the jet orifices are formed by canted portions of the jet plates directed toward the material being treated.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial fan means is provided with a fan drive, and means are correlated to the fan drive for the infinite variation of the fan speed so that only a minimum quantity of the treatment medium is circulated as required for the respective process.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein means are provided for jointly controlling the free cross section of the jet orifices and the fan drive so that with a variation of the fan speed, the free cross section of the jets can be varied so that an optimum damming effect and an optimum distribution of the treatment medium over the working width can be obtained.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed above and beneath the fan means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed above and below the jet plates.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction duct is provided with a perforated partition means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the perforated partition means comprise two perforated plates which can be displaced with respect to each other so that the free cross section for the flow of the treatment medium can be varied.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein means are provided for jointly controlling the free cross section of the suction duct and the fan drive so that with a variation of the fan speed, the free cross section of the suction duct can be varied.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying elements are roller means, each of said roller means being provided with a separate drive means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying elements are roller means, each row of said roller means being provided with a separate drive means.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial fan means are arranged at right angles to the direction of passage of the textile material.

15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the jet orifices are directed between adjacent rolls of each row of the conveying means. 

1. An apparatus for the treatment of material lengths or silvertype materials which comprises a substantially closed housing, inlet means for introducing the material to be treated to said housing, longitudinal partition means dividing said housing into a treatment chamber and a fan chamber, at least two rows of conveying means rotatably disposed in the treatment chamber to provide for the continuous and alternate guiding of the material therethrough, perforated jet plates provided substantially parallel to the conveying means and secured to the ends of the longitudinal partition means, means provided for adjusting the free-cross section of the perforations in the jet plates so that said cross-section can be adapted to the quantity of the treatment medium which is circulated, radial flow fan means disposed in the fan chamber between the rows of conveying means for circulating the treatment medium, heating means disposed in the housing for heating said treatment medium, suction duct means disposed between the rows of conveying means at the partition means, said fan means drawing the treatment medium from the treatment chamber between the rows of conveying means through the suction duct and returning it into the treatment chamber above and below said conveying means and outlet means for removing the material from the apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition means terminate near the two rows of the conveying means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jet plates consist essentially of two superimposed perforated sheets which are displaceable with respect to each other, one of said sheets being provided on the material side with jet orifices, said other sheet on the side away from the material being treated being displaceable in the direction of material passage so that by displacing said other sheet, the free cross section of the jet orifices is varied.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the jet orifices are formed by canted portions of the jet plates directed toward the material being treated.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial fan means is provided with a fan drive, and means are correlated to the fan drive for the infinite variation of the fan speed so that only a minimum quantity of the treatment medium is circulated as required for the respective process.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein means are provided for jointly controlling the free cross section of the jet orifices and the fan drive so that with a variation of the fan speed, the free cross section of the jets can be varied so that an optimum damming effect and an optimum distribution of the treatment medium over the working width can be obtained.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed above and beneath the fan means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed above and below the jet plates.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction duct is provided with a perforAted partition means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the perforated partition means comprise two perforated plates which can be displaced with respect to each other so that the free cross section for the flow of the treatment medium can be varied.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein means are provided for jointly controlling the free cross section of the suction duct and the fan drive so that with a variation of the fan speed, the free cross section of the suction duct can be varied.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying elements are roller means, each of said roller means being provided with a separate drive means.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying elements are roller means, each row of said roller means being provided with a separate drive means.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radial fan means are arranged at right angles to the direction of passage of the textile material.
 15. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the jet orifices are directed between adjacent rolls of each row of the conveying means. 